Rival Shiite militias fought in Muslim west...

RIVALS BATTLE.

December 8, 1989

BEIRUT, LEBANON — RIVALS BATTLE. Rival Shiite militias fought in Muslim west Beirut on Thursday during a general strike to protest alleged attempts by Michel Aoun, the rebellious Christian general, to partition Lebanon. Police said no casualty reports were available on the battle between the the pro-Iranian Hezbollah and Amal, a more moderate militia supported by Syria. The two factions have fought since May 1987 for supremacy among the 1.2 million Shiites, Lebanon's largest sect. Police say 552 people have been killed and 1,532 wounded.